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Are you a degenerate gambler? Perhaps you’re someone who picks games against the spread just for fun and to see how smart you really aren’t? If this describes you, or if you just like to be entertained by a crazy minded sports columnist, you’re in luck, because you’ve stumbled across Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks, a weekly post from the start of the football season, all the way to the Super Bowl, where me, Mike Drakulich (MPD), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas line! Check out the DraftKings welcome offer to see how you can win big and find many bonuses.
I cover both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for the fabulous NGSCSports.com!
Normally, we always include the local teams here in Western Pennsylvania, which are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and the Pittsburgh Steelers among our weekly picks. This gives me the chance to take shots at the opposing teams I really dislike, enraging certain readers, and adding delight to my busy weekends.
All in all, both my dad and I are pretty good at picking these games, but don’t take our word for it. You’re on your own when you place your bets, so don’t blame us if you lose… but you can share your winnings with us if you wish.
Itchy vs Scratchy. Pepsi vs Coke. Black Spy vs White Spy. Cheers vs Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. History is full of rivalries, but none are better than father vs son! Who will rise above the other this season and become the 2024-25 Against All Odds Champion?
Thanksgiving Edition!
All Square.
Thanks to a few weeks of futility by me, and my dad continuing to roll along, we both head into week 14 with identical records of 76-54.
Pitt, West Virginia, and Penn State, especially the first two, have absolutely murdered me the past four weeks, costing me nine losses between them. Add the Steelers as well, who laughably lost to Cleveland last Thursday night.
This week, we have the annual Thanksgiving Edition, where we feature all three games on Thursday, followed by the Black Friday game on… Friday. Besides of the dog that is the Pitt-BC game, the rest of the slate has some big times match-ups that could shape the next College Football Playoff rankings.
May you and your families all have the best of Thanksgivings, and enjoy the time spent with the best of friends and family.
Week 14
Against All Odds Lines as of 11/25/2024
NCAA Football
Saturday, November 23rd
Michigan (6-5) at #2 Ohio State (10-1)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Ohio State -21.5
The Pick: MPD: Michigan | MJD: Michigan
I was thinking that if Michigan was somehow able to upset the Buckeyes, it would be a nightmare scenario allowing Penn State to play in the Big Ten Championship Game… then again, watching Big Blue take down Ohio State with a 6-5 record would be beautiful, and to boot, I’d get to enjoy watching Oregon destroy the Nittany Lions a week later.
I can’t really see the Wolverines pulling the upset, but there is no way on earth they are losing this rivalry game by more than three touchdowns.
#18 South Carolina (8-3) at #17 Clemson (9-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Vegas Line: Clemson -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Clemson has a big opportunity to gain a quality win and solidify their spot inside the College Football Playoffs.
Pitt (7-4) at Boston College (6-5)
Game Time: 3:00 PM
Vegas Line: Boston College -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Boston College | MJD: Boston College
What a fall from grace for Pitt. From a 7-0 start to losing their last five games of the season.
#4 Penn State (10-1) at Maryland (4-7)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Penn State -24.5
The Pick: MPD: Maryland | MJD: Maryland
Penn State is right where they want to be, and they need a miracle from Michigan to get into the Big Ten Championship. Don’t count on it. Penn State should win this comfortably, but not by 24.5.
#6 Notre Dame (10-1) at USC (6-5)
Game Time: 3:30 PM
Vegas Line: Notre Dame -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Notre Dame
Good rivalry game, and as long as Notre Dame doesn’t have any letdowns, the Irish should roll over a subpar Trojans team.
NFL
Thursday, November 28th
Chicago (4-7) at Detroit (10-1)
Game Time: 12:30 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
Detroit finally gets to play on Thanksgiving as one of the best teams in the NFL, instead of being a punching bag. Hopefully, by halftime, you’ll be tearing into your Thanksgiving dinner, just as Detroit will be carving up the Bears.
NY Giants (2-9) at Dallas (4-7)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Dallas -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Dallas | MJD: Dallas
By Hobbit Dinner, this game will be kicking off. Hopefully you won’t be too sick from overeating. Watching this turkey of a game may lead to stomach issues. Dallas should be good enough defensively to control this game and cover.
Miami (5-6) at Green Bay (8-3)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
By now, you’ll be on your fourth or fifth plate of food for the day, and you get a good one between the Packers, and the Dolphins, who are trying to claw themselves back into the AFC playoff picture. Green Bay will escape with their lives late.
Friday, November 29th
Las Vegas (2-9) at Kansas City (10-1)
Game Time: 3:00 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Las Vegas | MJD: Las Vegas
Black Friday has a game, so all the guys who have the house all to themselves as their wives spend every dollar in their accounts, will have something to pass the time watching. Kansas City screwed me last week by not covering a double digit spread. Fool me once, shame on them, fool me twice? Not gonna happen.
Sunday, December 1st
Pittsburgh (8-3) at Cincinnati (4-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers, fresh off one of the most embarrassing losses in the Tomlin Era, get a chance to bounce back on the road and not only get some momentum and confidence back, but pretty much kill any chance Cincinnati has in making the playoffs.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 76-54 — (.585)
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 76-54 — (.585)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2024-25 Champion:
2023-24 Champion: MPD & MJD
2022-23 Champion: MPD
2021-22 Champion: MJD
2020-21 Champion: MJD
2019-20 Champion: MJD
2018-19 Champion: MJD
2017-18 Champion: MPD
2016-17 Champion: MJD
2015-16 Champion: MJD
2014-15 Champion: MPD
2013-14 Champion: MPD
(MJD leads series 6-4-1)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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